... to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ Eph 4:12

In our modern western world there is a massive emphasis put on education and training. Developing people through schools and colleges and in the work place so that they each may be better suited to achieve the tasks or opportunity that arise in their chosen profession or general lives.
How much more should we individually and collectively be trained “to do his work and build up the church”. The word equip, comes from a word which is to fit more correctly. When you go to the tailors, he adjusts and measures the suit so that when it is ready to be worn it fits exactly as it can, in the same way as a bride preparing herself for her wedding goes to a bridal shop for fitting.
Are we the best that we can be for works of service for our Lord or can we develop through Christ and the body of the church, so that we can be more effective for carrying out his plans.
The work of the church is three fold, it is reaching out (evangelism), reaching upwards (Worship) and developing from within. (Training).

There are a few barriers to the third stream of church:-
1– The church does not provide the necessary training so that individuals can grow. This can be down to inexperience or lack of willingness to do so.
2– Leaders are focused on other things that they see are more important.
3– Individual believers in the church don’t see that they need training.
4– Individual believers have no desire to grow and develop any further, that they are happy in what they already are.

These are all honest and genuine reasons that I have heard and seen over the years, in churches I have attended or been involved in.
Brothers and sisters, let us as a leadership, not forsake our responsibilities, and as individual children of God not think that we are above development and training. I include the eldership or any other believer. We must become more open to be tailored into the people that God wants us to be, than we want to become ourselves. So that we can measure up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Labels: Develop, Equip, Service, Training

I'm sure the thought of having to run a marathon terrifies some of us. How well trained are we when it comes to the things of God? 1 Corinthians 8:25 says:

All athletes are disciplined in their training...so I run with a purpose in every step. (NLT)

We are in a spiritual race in direct competition with Satan trying to bring our families, friends and community into a loving relationship with Christ. So we must train, so that we can defeat Satan who has blinded the minds of those who don't believe.

Believers training program

1. Wear the right shoes- Ephesians tells us to put on the shoes of the gospel: "For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared". Keep to the truth, don't add or take away, and don't water it down.
2. Eat the right food– Diet is essential when preparing for a race. If you are not feeding on the word of God, don't expect to win. Your own diet will let you down. Luke 4:4: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God".
3. Practice your breathing- Listen to God speaking to you though his word and let the Holy Spirit live through you. Allow God to control your thoughts and your actions. Let him breathe life, purpose and joy through you.
4. Exercise vigorously- Live by example and put into practice what you have learnt. Develop and exercise these in everyday life.

Labels: Believers, Race, Spirit, Training